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Estrada impressive in tuneup for Classic

Brewers starter blanks Cubs for four innings; Gomez goes deep

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By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Carlos Gomez hit a solo home run and Blake Lalli added an RBI double to back starter Marco Estrada and lead the Brewers to a 4-3 victory Sunday over the Cubs, who were playing a split-squad game.

Estrada, who will pitch for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic starting this week, threw four shutout innings, giving up one hit and walking two. He's the first Brewers starter to go four innings this spring.

Milwaukee loaded the bases with one out in the first against Chicago starter Edwin Jackson, who then walked Logan Schafer to force in a run. Taylor Green added an RBI single. Jackson was pulled after two innings, giving up two hits and walking three.

In the second, Jackson walked Kentrail Davis and one out later, Jean Segura was safe on a throwing error by Jackson, who fielded the ball, then threw it high into the air and into center field.

"I think I was throwing to a ghost man out there," Jackson said.

What happened?

"I was trying not to throw it, trying to hold it," Jackson said. "I tried to hold it, hold it, and it was too late. Get all the jitters out now."

Gomez led off the third with his home run off Drew Carpenter, and one out later, Green doubled and then scored on Lalli's double off the left-field wall.

Javier Baez, one of the Cubs' top prospects, hit his first spring home run with one out and one on in the fifth, driving in Brett Jackson, who had walked. Chicago then loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth against Kelvim Escobar, who had to leave the game because of an issue with his throwing hand. Michael Olmsted walked Baez to force in a run.

Brewers up next: It will be an odd day in camp on Tuesday, when the team returns from its first off-day of the spring to play an exhibition against Canada's entry to the World Baseball Classic. The Canadian club will feature relievers John Axford and Jim Henderson, both of whom are scheduled to pitch an inning against the Brewers as a final Classic tuneup. Brewers infielder Taylor Green and Minor League outfielder Rene Tosoni will also suit up for Team Canada.

Milwaukee's starter was to be announced Sunday night, but it could be right-hander Yovani Gallardo of Team Mexico, who would pitch an inning to ensure the strained right groin that bothered him last week is no longer an issue.